Means for replenishing the electrolyte of electrolytic cells



Nov. 27 1923.

P. H. BRACE MEANS FOR REFLENISHING THE ELECTROLYTE OF ELECTROLYTIC CELLSFiled Nov. 13. 1919 llllllllllllllll I INVENTOR par/er fifirace. BY

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 27, 1923,,

res star PORTER H. BRACE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TWESTINGHOUSE.

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ELECTRIC & IHANUFACT'UJRING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

MEANS FOR. REPLEN'ISHTNG Hill-IE 'ELECTROLY'I'E 0F ELECTROLYTIC SELLS.

Application filed November 13, 1919. Serial No. 337,682.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, PORTER H. Bnaon, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Means forReplenishing the Electrolyte of Electrolytic lytes of constantcomposition and quantity (luring the electrolysis of fused salts,additions have been made to the electrolyte in various ways, but it hasbeen very diflicult to'do this satisfactorily or to make the additioncontinuously, as is desirable, particularly where hydroscopic materialsare being employed.

One object of my'present invention is to secure continuous replenishmentof the electrolyte with a minimum disturbance of the same and with aminimum interference with the operation of the cell.

Another object which ll have in view is the addition of material to theelectrolyte by the utilization of a continuously melting or dissolvingbody of the desired material to be added.

In this connection my invention further comprises the provision of aspecially designed electrode which is, preferably, the anode and whichis so formed as to serve as a means for replenishing the electrolyte.

Another object accomplished by my invention consists in the provision ofmeans for controlling the rate of addition of material to theelectrolyte.

With these and other objects in view, my invention will be more fullydescribed, illustrated in the single figure of the drawing which is adiagrammatic sectional view of a preferred form of my invention. andthen specifically pointed out in the claims.

In order to ensure a complete and accurate understanding of my inventionand the method of practising it, I have illustrated a lid conventionalform of electrolytic cell, such asois commonly employed in theelectrolysis of fused salts and, particularly, salts of thealkaline-earth metals comprising calcium, barium and strontium. The cellmay comprise a cup or container 1 for the fused salt 2 being treated, acathode 3 and an anode 4. The'cat'hode may preferablybe supported by anarm 5 which is insulated from, and adjustably carried by, an adjustingscrew 7 mounted for free turning movement, whereby the cathode may beraised as a deposit of metal is formed thereon.

The anode i, in like manner, may be supported by an arm 8 insulatedfrom, and adjustably supported by, an adjusting screw 9 in such mannerthat it may be raised or lowered at will.

My present invention comprehends the provision of a special form ofanode so constructed thatit may constitute means for constantlyreplenishing theelectrolyte of the cell. For this purpose, the anode 4may be formed, in its upper portion, with an axial chamber 10 adapted toreceive a solid body or rod 11 of the material to be added to theelectrolyte. A reduced extension or passage 12 may lead from the lowerend of this chamber terminating short of the lower end of the electrode,and" a plurality of radial and upwardly inclined branch passages 13 maylead from the lower end of the passage 12 through the wall of theelectrode. The open end of the anode may be provided with a suitablecover to prevent the access of air when hydroscopic salts are used.

The operation of an electrolytic cell embodyin my invention will bereadily understood rom the foregoing explanation and ill) need be onlybriefly described. Obviously,

the heat generated at the lower portion of the electrode constitutingthe anode of the cell will act to melt or dissolve the body or red ofelectrolyte material 11 contained in the electrode so that this materialwill be gradually discharged into the electrolyte through the passages12 and 13. The rate at which the electrolyte material is supplied to theelectrol to from the source 11 will, of course, be ependent' upon theamount of heat generated at the electrode and this heat may be governedby adjustably raising or lowering the electrode, to vary the extent towhich it is immersed in the electrolyte. The upward inclination of thebranch passa es 13 prevents an gases, which may be evo ved, from passinginto the interior of the ti l electrode, and, consequently, this featureis not essential in all instances.

Although embodiment of my invention and described it in detail, it willbe ap reciated that various ways of supplying e ectrolyte material,through the use of a continuously melting or dissolving body of suchmaterial, may be provided and that anodes of various constructions maybe formed to adapt them for this purpose. No limitations are, therefore,to be imposed upon my invention other than those necessitated by theprior art' or indicated in the appended claims.

- I claim as my invention:

l. The combination with an electrolytic cell including an electrolyticbath and electrodes, of means, operable through heat generated at anelectrode, for liquetying electrolyte material and'supplying it to thebath.

2, The combination withan electrolytic cell including an electrolyticbath and electrodes, of means, operable through heat generated at anelectrode, for liquetying electrolyte material and continuouslysupplying .it toethe bath.

3. The combination with an electrolytic cell including an electrolyticbath and electrodes, of means co-operating with one electrode forsupplying liquefied electrolyte material to the bath.

4i. "llhe combination with an electrolytic I have illustrated apreferred cell including an electrolytic bath and a cathode movabletoward andaway from the bath, of an anode provided with a chamber andwith a passage opening trom'the chamber through the lower portion of theanode.

6. The combination with an electrolytic cell including an electrolyticbath and a cathode movable toward and away from the bath, of an anodeprovided with a chamber and with a passage opening from the charm herthrough the lower portion of the anode, and means for adjustably raisingand lowering the anode to vary the extent to which it is immersed in thebath.

Y. An electrode for use in the electrolysis of fused salts comprising abody provided with a chamber adapted to receive solid electrolytematerial and further provided with a passage leading from the chamberand adapted to communicate with an electrolytic bath.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th dayof Oct, 1919.

PQltll'lllt H. BRACE.

